News Release

Little Rock, Ark., Nov. 19, 2013– Farmers and landowners in numerous counties in Arkansas have until Dec. 20, 2013, to submit applications to receive financial assistance to implement conservation practices through 19 Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) projects.Applicants can sign up at their local U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service field service center.

"USDA is working aggressively to improve the health of the Mississippi River Basin," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The funding will help producers implement a system of conservation practices that will control soil erosion, improve soil quality, and provide wildlife habitat."

“The MRBI projects in Arkansas are being implemented working with our conservation partners to accelerate conservation treatment to improve water quality, maintain productivity and enhance wildlife habitat,” said NRCS State Conservationist Michael Sullivan.

The main focus for all projects is to improve water quality; however, in 2012 water quantity was added as a secondary concern.